Cabot Specialty Fluids, Inc.

Bp Exploration and Oil, Inc.

John A Toups

William J Benton

U Roger Weems

David B Young

Jonathan Holt

B C Smolen

Majeed H Yousif

A drilling fluid or mud is described wherein the drilling fluid contains at least one alkali metal formate or monovalent carboxylic acid salt. The drilling fluid preferably further contains at least one emulsifier or surfactant and at least one hydrocarbon-based fluid. The drilling fluids of the present invention can contain other conventional ingredients. The present invention permits drilling fluids to be essentially solids free due to the use of the alkali metal formate.

Drilling fluids containing an alkali metal formate

An environmentally acceptable, thermally insulating annular fluid comprised of a liquid which is non-aqueous, non-corrosive, and thermally insulating, a clay gellant, and a clay dispersant. A preferred packer fluid includes an ester originated from a vegetable or animal oil as at least a major portion of the liquid phase.

Environmentally safe annular fluid

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

John A Toups